Forum Discussion

taycotrains's avatar
taycotrains
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014

New guy with questions...

Well I have owned my TC for a week now and I am still feeling it out.

I want to know is OK to leave the TC on the truck all the time ?

We do not have any room in the yard for it and do not want to put it in my one car driveway because if I want to get my antique truck out of the garage in a hurry it will be in the way.

The truck is a 2011 F-250 with a 8 foot bed 4x4 and it is also a 4 door.
I do not use the truck everyday...I live across the street from my job and except for running around town sometimes at night and the weekends I never really need the truck.

The tag says the camper weighs 1600 lbs (but I think its heavier)will leaving it on the truck all the time affect the rear springs ?

and finally the TC marker lights and I imagine other things work off the larger plug on my truck (7 pin?) but when I pull my flatbed trailer I need that plug for my brake lights and brakes on the trailer...is there some kind of a splitter so I can use both ?

Thanks in advance
Bob
Truck Campers
  • Bigfootchevy's avatar
    Bigfootchevy
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2014
    Welcome to the TC World.

    Your Chevy truck can handle the weight of your camper full time. But I would unplug your camper from the truck when not driving the truck regularly. I tried to get a splitter for my diesel truck batteries but the dealership didn't like it. You can get a shut off switch for your camper battery so your camper doesn't drain your camper battery.

    Paul
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    You can make a splitter for your 7 pin but I would recommend you install a separate connection for the camper. I'll bet you're camper's cord is short and located toward the front. I would install a connection in the truck bed near the camper's existing cord. You can then wire this into the truck's existing wiring.
    If you truck happened to come with the fifth wheel prep package you may have wiring for a bed mounted plug tucked up under the truck somewhere.
    There's nothing wrong with leaving the camper on the truck all the time. Many people do.
  • taycotrains's avatar
    taycotrains
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    I want to thank everyone for there info and responses...I will be trying my TC in 3 weeks at a event in York PA...Ill decide after that if truck camping is for me...if not its not a big deal I do not have much tied up in this endeavor.

    Thanks again
    Bob
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    Bob,

    Welcome to the forum.

    This is kind of what you are asking for if you want an already made up one. One end for the trailer might be a little long and you would have to tie it up.

    I would not worry about leaving the camper on the truck, My camper which is 3000# dry sets on my truck all summer long. I just take it off in the winter so the truck can go into the garage. Also you don't have to worry about flat spotting your tires, this happened with the old bias ply tires and not a real worry on radial tires anymore.

    Just go and enjoy your camper.
  • Old_Days's avatar
    Old_Days
    Explorer II
    Apr 06, 2014
    Here is a idea for you, buy some auto jack stands for the back of your truck they are nice to have anyway plus your tires wouldn't get a flat spot when parked for long periods of time.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Apr 06, 2014
    It's possible the springs might eventually sag, but several here leave their campers on.
  • AKSuperDually's avatar
    AKSuperDually
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2014
    I don't think you'd wear out newer springs for at least a decade leaving the load on the truck.

    You can definitely buy or make a splitter for the electrical plug. It's easy wiring, and you can probably find some youtube videos with instructions.

    amazon link
    This could work if your trailer uses a 4 way plug.

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